Family visas / Subclasses 116 and 836

Can a Carer visa be refused if other relatives in Australia can provide care?

Yes. A Carer visa depends partly on whether the required care can reasonably be provided by other relatives in Australia.

Family visas Subclasses 116 and 836 Needs review
Short answer

Yes. A Carer visa depends partly on whether the required care can reasonably be provided by other relatives in Australia.

Home Affairs may look at how many relatives are already in Australia, the type and amount of care needed, who currently provides care, where the person needing care lives, where other relatives live, family relationships, and why those relatives say they cannot provide the required care.

If several relatives live near the person needing care, Home Affairs may consider whether they could provide care together or on a rotating basis. If a previous relative was already granted a permanent visa as a carer for the same person, Home Affairs may usually expect that person to provide care, unless there is a strong explanation why they cannot.

Reasons why other relatives may not reasonably be able to provide care can include full-time work, study, caring for children or other relatives, illness, physical incapacity or family disputes. Home Affairs may ask for supporting evidence such as employment documents, enrolment evidence, family composition evidence or letters from medical professionals.

Source

This answer is based on official Carer visa information checked on 13 August 2026.